August 07, 2010

Love Story and Treasure Finds

While in Carrick-on-Shannon, Leitrim, last week I was delighted to see the Costello Memorial Chapel was open to the public. This tiny chapel is said to be the second smallest in the world and was built by a heartbroken husband for his lost love. They are laid to rest side by side under glass. Their crumbling coffins are fascinating to look at. I have taken photos of the whole story on the plaques outside.

Also in Carrick-on-Shannon is this stark reminder of how things used to be if you were born poor in Ireland. The very last resort for poor families was the workhouse. This brass plaque is set into the pavement of the main street and points the way to the workhouse. Once there, the mother and child represented here would have been separated into different buildings. So Sad....

Thrifted Treasure Finds

I found some lovely old items on my thrifting trawls lately. Below is the antique brass bellows I was lucky enough to find in Enniskillen. Displayed on the cottage mantlepiece

below is a tiny tin with willow pattern crockery and sleepy cat. Inside it has a jigsaw puzzle.

A beautiful book full of wonderful illustrations and poems

Below is the old sewing box given to me by my friend, Nuala. It was her late aunt's and was filled with loads of vintage sewing notions and a huge collection of embroidery threads. Thanks Nuala!

Next is a cute little Bo peep bell. shoe pin cushion, ceramic thread box and a tin box of old dressmakers pins. Underneath them you can see the two fabric covered journals.

I did some crafting too. I had waited ages to get my sewing machine fixed and so I bought some plain towels and decorated them with vintage lace trims.

Now they look great displayed in the bathroom window

I tried my hand at making some hats from what I had to hand in my extensive stash. No matter how much I use it seems to get no smaller! Is your "Stash" like that?

Made from cardboard and fabric scraps are these quirky hats...

Lolita Headpiece

Goth Fascinator featuring a real watch!

Now more thrifted finds.

Pretty little bottle filled with old buttons.

Some gorgeous old Irish lace hankies and some old wedding illustrations to display them with.

A 1920's book on wild flowers, also with illustrations. I have been using it to identify some of the wild flowers that grow around the cottage.

there you are pam!! so lovely to hear about your crafting and traveling and shopping...some of my favorite things!...hope paul is his usual wonderful self and you are having a relaxing summer. erin and i are still "planning" a visit; although winning the lottery might move it along faster!...missed you. love from the green eyed gal from sunny southern california, mimi

HI Pam!!
I absolutely love the photo tour!! It was a nice diversion from the craziness here. I am trying to get all my studies done and take care of poor daughter... she has had all 4 wisdom teeth removed and I am playing nursemaid. Poor kid! Talk to you soon!

Hi there! It's been a while since I dropped in. Had taken a little break from blogging, but I'm back! Love all of your "thrifty" finds. FABULOUS! Be sure to visit my blog next Thursday and share some of these on my new "Thrift-Shop Thursday." You've got some wonderful stuff here! Good to visit you again. Have a great day!!! :-)

Your blog is lovely. Do you live in Ireland? The "about me" link does not work so I could not read it. I have family in County Tyrone and have long wanted to visit Ireland but feel it may never happen. Now I will visit through your lovely pages. Is there a way to follow/subscribe to your blog?

Hello, I live in Dublin, Ga. USA. I have an old house...build sometime around 1915, it is cottage style, and yes, my favorite movie is The Quiet Man...and my favorite gal is none other than Ms. Maureen O'Hara, herself. I googled White O'Morn to see if I could get some pics of the inside of a traditional irish cottage. I have an old fireplace, and have lots of antiques. Would love to visit Ireland someday....yes..it is on my to do list. Blessings...Kathy

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